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Since the end of the twentieth century, it has become clear that free-market, democratic countries enjoy certain advantages in attaining developmental goals, raising the quality of life, and responding to the challenges of a competitive, changing world. The combination of economic and political freedom has powerful effects on reducing poverty and expanding opportunity for citizens of the developed world and emerging markets countries alike. Read more…

FEDN Statement on Attacks Against Venezuelan Business Leaders
The Free Enterprise and Democracy Network (FEDN) aims to promote the economic underpinnings of democratic transition and bring private sector voices into global discourse on democracy. The network provides a mechanism for private sector leaders and advocates of economic freedom across the world to exchange ideas and support, and make the case for democratic, prosperous societies. Read more…

John D. Sullivan, Andrew Wilson, Anna Nadgrodkiewicz, Corruption is a corrosive drain on public trust and on the legitimacy of public and private sector institutions. Its toll can be devastating to a national economy, particularly at a time when open global markets can rapidly reverse investment and capital flows if confidence and trust are compromised by revelations of systemic corruption. Read more…

John Morrell, Kim Eric Bettcher, Article at a glance
When private businesses are interested in reducing corruption, they can be mobilized to take concrete steps against it. This article introduces available tools for collective action – a strategic approach to mobilizing the business community in order to fight corruption.
At its core, corruption is an institutional problem, and the institutional framework that sustains corruption must be changed. A key goal of collective action is to reduce the incentives and opportunities for corruption.
Collective action is a coordinated, sustained process of cooperation among private firms and other stakeholders. In the fight against corruption, a coalition of companies united by a set of principles and standards can have a far greater aggregate impact.
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Russia is a highly attractive market for multinational corporations, but endemic corruption discourages investment. Another impediment is the stringent application of United States and United Kingdom anti-corruption laws that regulate the behavior of foreign companies doing business in Russia. In Russia, corruption often arises from poorly drafted and contradictory laws that allow officials to extract bribes and businesses to cut corners. Read more…

Russia’s weak property rights are a significant impediment to economic progress and a deterrent to foreign investment. At the local and regional levels, there is widespread recognition that secure and transparent property rights are an essential prerequisite for growth. Based on this, CIPE launched a successful pilot program in the Saratov region that demonstrated the effectiveness of our efforts to empower local groups to identify and advocate for reform. Read more…

Widespread corruption in Russia discourages foreign investment in potentially profitable ventures. While national efforts to combat corruption have had mixed success, regional governments have demonstrated an openness to reform. Recent changes to the property and business tax codes provide an additional incentive for local officials to take action. CIPE seeks partners to expand its successful program certifying regional chambers of commerce to engage with local government to produce laws and regulations that more effectively reduce corruption. Read more…

Russian small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have repeatedly cited corruption as the main factor hindering their growth. In the 1990s and early 2000s, Russian entrepreneurs paid bribes for certain extra-legal activities to secure an advantage over competitors, to induce bureaucrats to overlook infractions of the law, or to speed various regulatory or licensing processes. In the past several years, however, the dynamic has shifted radically, according to local experts who study the issue closely. Read more…

Boris Begović, Economic freedom contributes to economic growth by fostering competition among actors, leading to increased innovations, efficiency, and ultimately, productivity. Economic freedom also allows investments to be more efficient, leading to growth. Read more…